Hoffenheim and Schalke lead Premier League sides in race for Manchester City whizkid

Celtic may be out of luck in their attempt to hang on to Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts after his successful 18-month loan spell in Glasgow, with TWELVE clubs in the race for his services next season.

Bundesliga duo Hoffenheim and Schalke lead the race for 20-year-old Roberts according to an exclusive report by the Scottish Sun, with three unnamed Premier League clubs also in the hunt for the prodigious England under-20 international.

Celtic have made no secret of their interest in keeping Roberts and may even be willing to break their club record to sign him permanently, but with so much rival interest and their finances limited, this could be difficult to pull off.

Roberts’ final appearance of his 18-month loan deal at Celtic Park is today as he hopes to complete an incredible season with a treble when the Hoops face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park.

For now, Man City are not willing to make a decision on Roberts’ future until Pep Guardiola has had a look at him in pre-season. The City manager may yet decide to integrate the Englishman into his first-team squad, or may prefer to loan him out again. With Bernardo Silva arriving at the club, Blues bosses may even decide to cash in on Roberts with Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva both usually deployed on the right flank.